The Indian Air Force fields a diverse combat and support fleet, complemented by naval aviation. Its inventory blends imported frontline platforms with a growing line of indigenous designs from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), reflecting a steady shift toward self-reliance in aerospace.

Fighters and combat aircraft

  • Multirole fighters: the Dassault Rafale and Su-30MKI form the backbone, supported by upgraded Mirage 2000, MiG-29 and Jaguar fleets.
  • Indigenous fighters: the HAL Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (Mk1 and Mk1A) is in service, with the Tejas Mk2 and the fifth-generation Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) in development.

Transport and force multipliers

  • Transport aircraft: C-17 Globemaster III and C-130J Super Hercules for strategic and special-operations airlift, plus the Il-76, An-32 and the new C-295 fleet built in India with Tata.
  • Force multipliers: the DRDO Netra AEW&C and Phalcon AWACS for airborne early warning, and Il-78 aerial-refuelling tankers that extend combat reach.

Helicopters

Rotary-wing assets include the AH-64 Apache attack helicopter, CH-47 Chinook heavy-lift, and the indigenous Prachand Light Combat Helicopter, Dhruv and Rudra — platforms increasingly important for high-altitude operations along the northern borders.

The road to self-reliance

With Tejas production ramping up and the AMCA programme sanctioned, Indian military aviation is moving from licence assembly toward home-grown design, positioning HAL and private partners at the centre of the country’s aerospace ambitions.